fitch



B. F. FITCH F b 28 1933 SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLING FREIGHT R 18752 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed July 14', 1926 B. F. FITCH F b, 23,1933, S'YSTEM ANDAPPARATUS FOR HANDLING FREIGHT 5 Sheets-Sheet 2Original Filed July 14 1926 gwuemtoz ag g3 mm? B. 'F. FITCH F b, 28,1933, SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLING FREIGHT 5 Sheets-Sheet 3Original Filed July 14, 1926 Jwuenloc I I \09 "Q B. F. FlTCH Feb. 28,1933. SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLING FREIGHT 5 Sheets-Sheet 5Original Fi led Ju ly 14. 1926 gnpentoz 'fbmMMWiw Reissued Feb. 28, 1933UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE BENJAMIN F. FITCH, OF GREENWICH, CONNECTICUT,ASSIGNOR TO MOTOR TERMINALS COMPANY, OF WILMINGTON, DELAVIARE, ACORPORATION OF DELAWARE- SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLINGv FREIGHTOriginal No. 1,802,010, dated April 21, 1931, Serial No. 122,310, filedJuly 14, 1926. Application for reissue filed January 28, 1932.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for handling freight,and especially where the freight is stored in removable automobilebodies which are then handled as a unit. In extending such systems topermit the handling of freight in an expeditious manner on a largescale, it has heretofore been necessary to employ overhead travelingcranes for raising and transporting the containers along a stationplatform. As the system gradually expands, the necessity for excessivelengths of crane runways then becomes an objection, not only from theviewpoint of equipment required, but also from the viewpoint of timeconsumed in transferring the containers from one end of the platform toanother. Moreover, in certain locations building conditions are suchthat overhead cranes cannot be readily installed and operated in asatisfactory manner.

The principal object of 'thepresent invention is to facilitate thehandling of freight in large units by'such transporting mecha nism aswill eliminate the necessity for overhead cranes, with objectionablelong crane runways. Moreover, I contemplate the provision of a systemwhere by the handling of freight in containers as a unit may be greatlyfacilitated to permit the freight to be loaded or unloaded at abreak-bulk point.

One method of eliminating the objectionable long crane runways which hasbeen proposed is to construct the containers in such manner that aload-lifting truck may engage beneath the bottom of a container, raiseit and transport it from one place to another. In practice, however, thecontainers have such great weight and size that in order to supporttheir load it is necessary to raise the container floor an appreciabledistance above the ground or supporting platform to accommodate thefloor beams. Now if in addition to this height of the floor, thecontainer is raised to allow a truck, though of comparatively lowheight, to pass beneath it, the result is that the floor surface standsso far above the ground or support. that it would be impractical toemploy a ramp for hand trucking freight to and from the container.

I have solved this problem by employing Serial. No. 589,518.

a power truck which is adapted to engage the load on the outer sidesthereof and to lift it a slight distance off the ground or supportingplatform, and then to transport it from place to place upon a platform,and my invention comprises the provision of a lift truck having a pairof forwardly projecting low mounted lift or load elevating platformscapable of beingmoved into position to straddle a load, lift the sameand transport it to destination. In thisway I can eliminate thenecessity for overhead traveling cranes which extend the entire lengthof the platform, and at the same time can effect suitable transfer ofcontainers without raising the container floor toan objectionable heightfrom the ground. Thus, I can extend the system to permit the handling offreight on an almost unlimited scale while maintaining the advantagesinherent in a system embodying removable automobile body containers.

Another object of the invention is to provide a truck of the, foregoingconstruction which is capable of lifting. and transporting heavy loads,and in which the truck is provided with relatively small wide treadwheels beneath the spaced lift platforms capable of distributing theload, such wheels being preferably dirigible whereby the truck may beturned on a relatively short turning radius to permit it to be readilyoperated inrestricted areas, around columns, etc.

A further object is to provide a power driven lift truck having a pairof forwardly projecting relatively narrow lift beams, each supported bymeans of longitudinally spaced load. supporting wheels of small diameterarranged tandem beneath the lift beams, and in which the load wheels arecapable of being turned. substantially within the area of the lift beamsin order to steer the truck on a, short turning radius.

Other objects of the invention will appear in the following descriptionand appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawingsform ng a part of this specification wherein like reference charactersdesignate corresponding parts in the sev eral views. 7

In the drawings Fig. 1. shows a Station platform having a set ofrailroad tracks extending along one side and a truck platform along theother side with various forms of load engaging apparatus for carry ngout my invention; Fig. 2 is a side View of a container showing a loadlifting truck about to engage the container; Fig. 3 is a side elevationshowing the container raised slightly above the ground; Fig. 4 is a planview of the container and load lifting truck; Fig. 5 is a diagrammaticview showing the. steering mechanism for the truck; Fig. 6 is a verticalsection through a part of the container and truck; Fig. 7 is a verticalsection on an enlarged scale adjacent to the operat ing end of thetruck; Figs. 8 to 10 show a modified construction for effectingengagement of the load. I

Before explaining in detail the present invention, and the method ormode of opera.- tion embodied therein, it is to be understood that theinvention is not limited in its applicationto the details ofconstruction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and ofbeing practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to beunderstood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is forthe purpose of description and not of limitation, and it is not intendedto limit the invention beyond the terms of the several claims heretoappended or the requirements of the prior art.

In Fig. 1 a station platform 10 is shown as having a set of railroadtracks along one side 11, and a truck-runway 12 along the opposite sideand as being positioned for enabling containers indicated at 13, to bepositioned cross-wise of the platform with a hand truck-runway on eachside of the container. This view also shows a plurality of overheadcranes indicated in general at 14: and 15 respectively, by means ofwhich a container may betransferred between truck on the runway and astation platform. In addition, there are shown load lifting trucks 20and 21 respectively, each of which is provided with means for engaging acontainer and raising it slightly above the platform to any desiredposition.

One way which I have shown of effecting the transfer of a containeracross the platform includes the use of a load lifting power truckcomprising in generala frame having at one end an upright housing forsupporting the motors, battery and control mechanism. Beneath thishousing are mounted a pair of driving wheels. .The frameat ts other endisbifurcated to provide two narrow parallel spaced arms adjacent theground. A narrow lift platform surmounts each forked frame arm. Beneatheach arm of the frame are preferably. located a' pair of longitudinallyspaced load wheels of small diameter and wide tread to distribute theload. These wheels are preferably mounted to turn substantially withinthe area of mon steering mechanism is provided for turning the loadwheels and driving wheels simultaneously about substantially a commonturning center.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 2, 3 and 4, I have shown a truckhaving a pair of arms 25 which are adapted to extend longitudinally ofthe container and on opposite sides thereof. These arms may comprisebeams which embody part of the truck frame and may be supported at oneend by a set of wheels 26, and at the opposite end by of wheels 27. Thetruck has mechanism including a motor indicated in general at 28, forpropelling it along the platform and also has mechanism for raising acontainer a slight distance above the platform. This mechanism shown hasbeams 30 which a plurality of spaced projections 31 acent the undersides thereof. These project ons are arranged to enter complementaryshaped recesses 32 and associated arms 25. Provision is made for movingthe beams 30 longitudinally of a container and relatively to the beams25 wherefore the beams 30 are raised vertically with reference to thebeam 25 when members 30 are moved toward the operating end of the truck.Thisfollows by reason of the inclined surfaces 33 on the projectio s 33.which engage inclined surfaces 3 and JllG cooperating recess.

When the arms 25 are positioned along the side of the container then thevertical movement of the beams 30 with reference to the arms will effectthe raising of the load since the upper surfaces or the beams en agemembers 37 which project outwardly f som the side of the load. Thesemembers may be angle brackets which extend the entire length of thecontainer, or as shown in Figs. 2 and 6 they may be relatively shortspaced brackets which are rigidlyconnected as by securing members 40 tothe load supporting straps 38 on the sides of the containers. To permitthe free movement of the beams 30 with reference to beams 25 I mayemploy a plurality of rollers between the two members the usual way. Iam not concerned, however, in this application withthe details of thetruck construction insofar as this feature is concerned, nor with themechanism for moving the beams 30 with reference to the beams 25. I havemerely indicated the mechanism as embodying a motor 41 surmounted on thetruck adjacent the operating end and which is suitablyv geared to movethe beam simultaneously on the arms.

' To enable an operator to engage a load in an expeditious manner, Iprovide yieldable members which are carried by the outer truck adjacentthe arms and function as guides to maintain proper relationship betweenthe arms and load while the truck is being moved forwardly intoengagement with the load. The length of the load makes the engagingoperation a difficult task. for an operator. lVit-h the apparatus I haveshown, however, the ends of the arms can be easily directed to engageopposite sides of the load. Thereafter on continued forward motion ofthe truck, the operator can readily maintain a forward motion in theproper direction since the yieldable supports guide the track in theproper direction. These yieldable members in preferred form as shown inFig. 6 embody U-shaped members having a top portion 50, a bottom portion52 and a connecting portion 51. All three portions extend substantiallythe entire length of the beams 30 and are arranged to move laterallywith reference thereto. Springs 54 and 55 are adapted to engage thebottom portion and connecting portion respectively and are.

adapted to urge the member inwardly toward the load. Such inward motion,however. is limited by a shoulder 56 on the top portion which may engagea shoulder on a key 57, which in turn is embedded in the top of the beam80. A connecting slot in the top portion makes a splined connectionbetween the beam and top portion which permits lateral motion andprevents longitudinal motion of the member with reference to the beam.

In positioning the upper truck with reference to the load, I may providespaced pockets 58 in the top portions of the yieldable guide member intowhich a depending portion 59 of the brackets may extend. As the beams 30are elevated with reference to the beams 25, the brackets will enter thepockets, wherefore the load will be satisfacs torily held in adjustedposition during the raising portion.

A modified construction for effecting engagement with a load by the useof power lift trucks is shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10 wherein the load hasa pocket within the body thereof, with a pin 66 extending across thepocketand therefore inside the wall of the body. Laterally shiftablelatch members 67 carried on the beams 30 may engage beneath the pin 66so as to effect a lifting connection on the body whenever the loadlifting mechanism on the truck-is actuated. In the preferred form I haveshown four of such latch members, two on each frame of the truck andhave illustrateda bell crank 69 for actuating each member. If desired,all bell cranks may be actuated simultaneously by rods 70 which connectthe two bell cranks on each frame and a cross rod 71 which connects thetwo ends of the rods 70. Any convenient means may be utilized for movingthe cross bar 71 from the operators position on the truck.

To permit the handling of a comparatively'heavy load in. size, I employload supporting wheels 27 preferably arranged in pairs, at each end ofthe truck arms. Moreover, in order to facilitate movement of the truckin a limited space, I so mount the wheels 27 that they may be turnedconjointly with or independently of the wheels 26.

In Figs. 5 and 7, one'form of steering mechanism is illustrated whereinan operat ing handle rigidly mounted upon a vertically extending shaft81 is arranged to guide both the'forward and rearward wheelssimultaneously or individually as desired. To

this end I have shown the shaft 81 as having one member 82 of a jawclutch rigidly mounted thereon and as having cooperating members 83 and84: which arenormally urged into engagement with the member 82 by meansof springs 85 and 86 respectively. The

clutch, however, may be selectively disengaged from the member 82 by ahand actuated lever 87 which is pivotally connected at 88 to the truckframe within the shaft 81 and is operatively connected to the clutchmembers 88 and 841 by a. vertical link 89 and horizontal links 90 and 91respectively. Slots 92 and 93 in the vertical link determine theparticular clutch member which is to be actuated whenever the lever 87is operated. For example, in Fig. 7 the lever 87 is shown in a positionwherein both clutch members 88 and 84 are in engagement with the member82. Under this condition, both the forward and rearward wheels will beturnedsimultaneously. If, however, the lever 87 is moved up wardlythereto, throwing the clutch member 83 out of engagement with the member82, then only one set of wheels will be actuated whenever the handle 80is. turned. On the other hand, if the member 87 is moved to downwardposition, then the member 84 will be thrown out of engagement with themember 82 and the member 83 will be locked into engagement, whereforemovement of the handle 80 will turn the other set of wheels.

In Fig. 5 I have shown diagrammatically a form of steering apparatuswherein one set of wheels indicated at 26 are interconnected by links95, 96 and 97 and are arranged to be operatively connected to the shaft81 by links 98, 99 and 100 respectively. On the other hand, one of thesets of wheels 27 are arranged to be interconnected by links 101, 102and 103,'while those on the opposite sideare connected by links 104, 105and 106. The links 103 and 106 are in turn interconnected by members107, 108, 109, 110 and 111 respectively. To modify the link 109 I haveshown a member 112 which may be a'continuation of the member 107 andwhich may be pivotally connected to a link 113, through a link 114 toshaft 81. WVhen the handle 80 is in a full line position shown in Fig.5,- then all sets of wheels are pointing in a direction extendinglongitudinally of the truck. When the handle is moved to the broken lineposition, then the set of linkage for actuating the wheels 26 isactuated as shown by the 5 dash lines to shift the wheels to theposition shown in the dash lines 26a. Moreover, the linkage connectingthe shaft 81' to the wheels 27 is actuated to shift such wheels to theposition shown by the dot and dash lines indicated at 27a.

Freight handling apparatus made in accordance with the present inventionpermits the extension of freight handling systems embodying the use ofremovable automobile bodies to almost an unlimited extent Without truck.

7T0 illustrate one way in which a system is operated in accordance withmy invention reference may be had to Fig. 1 wherein a truck 120 is shownas standing in the runway adjacent the platform 10. Assuming that thetruck has arrived at the platform with a loaded body, then the overheadcrane 14 may be shifted laterally to pick up the body, raise it,transport it and deposit it upon the plat form. To effect such movementthe crane travel need be only slightly greater than twice the width of abody. Thereafter the cranes are disengaged from the load, a power truckoperable upon the platform is moved into engagement with the load, isactuated to raise it clear of the platform and then to transport it toany desired place on the platform. In the meantime, the motor truck maybe driven along the truck-runway and stopped beneath the runway for thecrane 15. This crane will then pick up another body which previouslywill have been deposited by thepower truck beneath the crane runway andthen move it laterally and deposit it uponthe motor truck. Thus aloading and unloading operation may be accomplished withoutnecessitating any appreciable idle time of the motor truck and theoperator therefor. On the otherjhand by utilizing a comparatively largenumber of power lift trucks, the bodies may be handled as quickly asthey arrive at the platform and they may be manipulated about theplatform to bring any one body as near as possible to a car into whichthefreight is to be transferred. Again this system is advantageous inthat the containers may be, readily manipulated on the platform topermitthe transfer of freight from one to another sub-station or off trackterminal transfer points.

By employ-inga fork truck such as that embodied in this application, itis possible to handle large loads as units by simply causing the liftplatforms of the truck to straddle the load, attaching the brackets orlifting 'members to the load and thereafter lifting the platforms '30.When thus supported by the truck, the truck may be propelled and steeredinto the proper position for unloading, and the load then deposited uponthe platform, and thetruck released for other work; I

I claim: c.

1. In combination, a removable automobile body having spaced downwardlyfacing shoulders, a power lift truck having spaced arms adapted toextend along'the opposite outer sides of the body, means associated withthe arms for raising the body and yieldable guides carried by the armsand functioning to slidably engage the side of the body for assisting inguiding the arms during the load engaging operation.

2. A system of handling freight comprising in combination a movableautomobile body rectangular in form and having a bottom, end walls andside walls, shoulders projecting outwardly from the side walls neartheir lower ends, and a power truck having arms adapted to embrace thesides of the automobile body beneath the shoulders, said arms beingprovided with power lift means adapted to shove upwardly on saidshoulders.

3. The combination, with an automobile body having side walls andvertical side straps on the outer sides of its walls, bracketsprojecting outwardly from the side straps some distance above the bottomof the body, of a truck having power propelling mechan sm and a pair ofspaced parallel arms, wheels supporting said arms, the arms beingadapted to embrace the body underneath the brackets, and means on thearms raisable by power to shove upwardly on the brackets.

4. In a system of handling freight, the combination with an automobiletruck and a demountable body having side walls, of a transfer stationhaving a platform, a truck runway adjacent the platform, a travelingcrane mounted on tracks overhanging both the truck runway and platformand having depending-raising mechanism adapted to en gage thedemountable automobile body, and a power truck traveling on the platformand having a pair of'spaced arms adapted to embrace the same automobilebody, said arms being connected together at one end, and disconnected atthe other end, power mechanism at such connected end for propelling theplatform truck, wheels supporting the opposite endportions of the arms,outwardly pro jecting shoulders on the automobile body,

and means on the arms of the platform truck tact with the adapted tostand beneath said shoulders and brackets. shove upwardly thereon.

body depending from the Signed at New York city, New York, this 5. In asystem of handling freight, the 21st day of January, 1932.

combination with a power road truck, a de mountable body in rectangularform having side walls and adapted to be mounted on the truck, and aplatform truck having spaced side arms so located as to embrace the sidewalls of the same body, shoulders on the sides of the body such distanceabove the bottom plane'of the body that the truck arms may pass beneaththem when the body and truck are standing on the same platform, andraising means on the side arms to engage the shoulders.

6. The combination with a demountable automobile body, of a truck fortransporting the same, comprising a main end portion and a pair oflaterally spaced portions extending from one end of said main portionadjacent the ground and such distance apart that they can be positionedclosely adjacent opposite sides of the body, power driven ground wheelssupporting the main end portion of the frame, swiveled load supportingwheels mounted beneath each of said laterally spaced portions within thewidth thereof, raisable load supporting members on said laterally spacedportions, and means at the main end portion for operating the tworaisable members as a unit.

7. The combination with a demo-untable automobile body, of a truck fortransporting the same having a frame comprising a main end portion and apair of laterally spaced parallel portions extending from one end ofsaid main portion adjacent the ground and a distance apart selectedaccording to the width of the body whereby they can be positioned atopposite sides of the body to be transported by the truck, ground wheelssupporting the main end portion of the frame, swiveled load supportingwheels mounted beneath each of said laterally spaced frame members, saidwheels lying substantially between the vertical planes of the side facesof said spaced frame members in all dirigible positions, and raisableload supporting members on said laterally spaced portions.

8. The combination with an automobile body having side walls andbrackets projecting outwardly from the side walls some distance abovethe bottom of the body, ofa truck having power-propelling mechanism anda pair of spaced parallel arms, the arms being adapted to closelyembrace the body underneath the brackets, means on the arms raisable bypower to shove upwardly on the brackets, the body extending below thearms in the raised, position, and swiveled wheels supporting said arms,said wheels lying substantially within the width of the arms in allpositions, whereby the wheels will not con- BENJAMIN F. FITCH.

